Ann Shoket

Ann Shoket is the editor-in-chief of Seventeen, a Hearst magazine that serves readers from ages 13 to early 20s, and she is the keynote speaker at the Student Career Conference on Saturday, Nov. 19.

She tells young communicators

"They ask me if I'm afraid of digital taking over print. I them tell: 'Don't worry about it: It's your job to communicate to the audience, whether it's in print, online or through social media. You are starting a conversation with your audience, and that's all that matters.' "

Message to her readers "It's fun to be 17. I want them to realize that is an amazing time in their lives, when anything is possible. They have tremendous opportunities, and these girls are pure potential. Their lives are a blank slate, and it is their job to fill it in."

Real girls rule "We put a real girl on the cover of the October 2011 issue. About 35,000 applied, and we narrowed it down to five, then one. Our cover girl was Zoe Damacela,19, and a student at Northwestern University, who overcame homelessness and poverty and started a fashion business while in high school."

Ann's early training "At my first job out of college in 1994, I had the tremendous privilege of working with Steve Brill of American Lawyer.Publications were just starting to launch websites. At the company, I learned ways to communicate on many different platforms. The company had not only print magazines and newspapers, but also online versions and there was Court TV. It was a huge opportunity."

Room with a view "I live in an apartment overlooking the High Line,which I have seen change and improve in the last year and half. On the weekends, I watch thousands and thousands of people walk and enjoy the park. And there is even a vendor outside my window selling a sandwich made of homemade peanut butter cookies and banana ice cream."

Bliss A month ago, Ann married Richard Gozee, who runs a commodities hedge fund and is originally from Australia. The two had met by chance at a bar on Rivington Street on the Lower East Side, fell in love and tied the knot at the Mondrian SoHo in New York City.

Day to live over "January 2, 2007. That was the day that Cathie Black [then a top executive at Hearst Magazines] offered me the editorship of Seventeen. It was my first day back in the office after the holidays, and it was a great way to start the year. In fact, the whole year was great. Bring back the boom times."

Quotable "I interviewed broadcaster Barbara Walters, who offered this advice to teen girls: 'Don't imagine that your life now is the way it's always going to be. You have no idea how interesting it can become.' "It's great advice for people of any age. Anything is possible."